Abraham Lincoln Statue

The statue of President Abraham Lincoln in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol depicts him with a serious, contemplative expression. He looks downward at his extended right hand, which holds the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln wears a bow tie, a single-breasted vest and the double-breasted frock coat that he wore to Ford's Theater on the night of his assassination. A long, flowing cloak is draped over his right shoulder and arm, clasped in his left hand. His right leg is slightly bent, and the toe of his right boot projects beyond the front of the self-base.

The name of the sculptor, Vinnie Ream, is inscribed on the side of the self-base. The name "ABRAHAM LINCOLN" is carved in relief on the front of the marble pedestal. The red granite base, on which the pedestal stands, was added in 1877.

Artist

In 1866, at the age of 18, Vinnie Ream was selected by the U.S. Congress to sculpt a memorial statue of President Abraham Lincoln. This made her the first female artist commissioned to create a work of art for the United States government.

Podcast Episode: Vinnie Ream And A Senate Debate

This podcast is part of the Shaping History: Women in Capitol Art series created by the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Listen below to hear about the women artists and women historical figures depicted in the art of the Capitol.

Download the transcript or read more about this episode.